Rise of the Empress

Queen Yamikoo of Crispenwell Queendom was a loose end. We headed out to leave Talshin and the Queendom of Sinestelos. As we were walking out, we were approached by a young boy, carrying a box from perhaps a bakery. We were downwind of the boy so we couldn’t say for sure it was a box of baked goods. The boy was looking at me and holding his arms out for me to take the box.

“Well met,” I said.

“Salutations, Empress. Umi said you wanted to taste our honey cakes,” the boy said.

I took the offered box and the sweet scent of honey and cinnamon, and a spice I couldn’t identify drifted up.

“Oh my! Thank you so much! Mmm…” I said, taking one of the honey cakes out and taking a bite.

“So delicious! Thank you ever so much!”, I said and gave the boy a peck on the cheek. His face turned red, and he turned and ran away. He stopped at the door of the bakery I had pointed to before, and turned and smiled at me, before disappearing inside.

“Stealing the hearts of babes now are you?” Kiera teased.

“I have enough troubles already. I don’t need any more,” I said.

We made our way back to our ships and troops, and moved out. We concluded making the transfer of authority to Queen Maleficia of the prison camp we had made to hold the Barbosan Pirates, and we released the Sinestelos soldier prisoners we had taken. Then my council began,

“We have unfinished business with Crispenwell. How should we deal with them?”

“Well we do have to return their troops at some point. It took us a long time to separate them from the Sinestelos troops. Perhaps we hold them hostage and bargain for a peace treaty with them,” Kanae said.

“They are unlikely to recognize they are their troops. We could offer them amnesty and give them opportunities to live in our realm. If life for them is better in our realm they will likely not cause problems. That of course can also backfire on you, and a small group of malcontent individuals could be a source of unending trouble,” Setanna said.

“We could send in an elite force and capture the capital, or just the palace. Replace the Queen, and make Crispenwell a part of our Empire. That is a very high risk strategy and could create a very unstable condition,” Kiera said.

“We could invade Crispenwell, and subjugate them to the Empire. We have a large portion of their forces already. They are severely weakened now,” Fergus said.

“That is probably our best option. A direct conquer of the Realm would give all the rest pause to mess with us. It would also establish a mindset of them being conquered, and not us, causing the usurpation of the throne,” Setanna said,

“On that note, I would recommend marching on the border between Sinestelos and Crispenwell. Then, when we are close to the border, use that handy trick of opening up gates to the region you infiltrated after expanding the reclaimed Dargon properties. From there we’d be a day’s march from the capital, and they’d have already moved their troops towards Sinestelos. Then it’s a single day war to capture the Capital and remove the current Queen.”

“That’s an excellent plan! We should definitely do that! I’m really exhausted from all this war. If we can end this quick and keep the deaths to a minimum, that’s the way to go!” Kiera said.

“I agree,” I said.

“Me too!” Kanae said.

The rest of the Council was in agreement, and so were the commanders of our forces. So, we turned towards the ideal location at the border as if we were truly going to attack from Sinestelos. It was a week-long march to get within a day’s march of the border. Our forward scouts returned from Crispenwell to report, that evening,

“My Empress, we have confirmed a massive force of Crispenwell soldiers deployed to defend the border. Our spybots in the Capital show a very minimal defense deployed at the Capital,” spy knight Tamako said.

“Thank you my knight Tamako. Go prepare for our move. Lets being Operation Night Moves!” I said.

“I like the way you think, My Empress,” Fergus whispered.

“You are so bad!”

“Got to be Bad to be Good.”

I pinched Fergus.

We had created a widespread illusion of our troops on the ground and in the air. It took thirteen of us four hours to complete. When we gated there would be an optical discord as we left. To minimize the visual effect we decided to gate in the darkness, where it would be much harder to discern it.

“Gate!” I cast, and each of the thirteen divisions cast right after mine. And so we marched, and flew, through the gates into the line along the new border between Dargon and Sinestelos.

“Subdue the outposts!” I commanded as soon as we were through the gates. There were only two outposts, in close proximity to our forces, and they were small fortresses. They were foolishly open on the side facing the Capital. The side we arrived at, and so our forces just swept in almost uncontested, and they fell in minutes.

We just needed to disable them so they didn’t alert the Capital before we arrived. The Capital would be uneasy within a half a day of no reports of us in any event, but that twelve or so hours extra gave a huge advantage. Then, we headed straight for the Capital. We were well on our way before the dawn broke. By midday, we had arrived at the capital.

The massive, deep green, granite walls of Cantiacaer rose up high above the grassy hill upon which it sat, with a golden colored, paved, and walled road casually meandering down to the plain. The fortress city dwarfed the surrounding grassy hills and farmland. The towers of the castle each flying the family crest of Queen Yamikoo.

This was the pastoral center of Crispenwell, and all manner of grazing animals wandered on the many hillsides far out towards the horizon. Even from this distance we could hear the warning bells of the city ringing out endlessly. But there was no army between us and the fortress. Those of us with sufficient vision could pick out the soldiers on the battlement arrayed to defend the mighty walls. The hill was easily over three-hundred meters tall. We would be exposed on the long climb to reach the fortress.

The winding walled corridor provided yet another obstacle of approach. The fortress walls were actually built below the crest of the hill, and there was little space for an attacking army to advance upon. It was a formidable fortress, for an army attacking from the ground. But they were no match for our airborne forces.

We surrounded the city with our warships and floating islands. There would be no simple escape. We were high enough up to be out of range of all but their mages. From on high our dragonfire and bombardments on the main gate reduced it to mere rubble. That was all it took before they surrendered. There was barely any fight at all. Our ground troops moved in to the city, and we took over all the walls, and disarmed the soldiers of Crispenwell.

“We will take my full guard in and land directly in the palace grounds once all is secured,” I said.

In less than an hour I was walking into the throne room of Crispenwell. There was no one on the throne. There was a young woman holding a large square box, standing at the foot of the throne. I approached, cautiously, and she came forward, knelt and held the box up to me, “The head of former queen Yamikoo, your majesty. We plead you have mercy on our humble queendom,” the woman said.

“We did not ask for this. Darby,” I said.

“Yes, my Empress?” Darby said.

“Please take care of this. We must take it to Queen Yamikoo’s body and heal the wound so she can have a decent burial,” I said.

“Now, rise and tell me who you are, and who now rules Crispenwell, instead of Queen Yamikoo,” I said.

“I am Gwánwyn Ní Yamikoo,” Gwánwyn said.

“Then are you the heir apparent, Princess,” I asked.

“Yes, your majesty,” Gwánwyn said.

“Then you will be crowned as queen, and we will draw up a peace treaty. Our condition is that you will be queen, and retain all your rights and laws. You will swear allegiance to me as a vassal nation, and never attack us or conspire against us again. We will return all of your surviving soldiers,” I said.

“Yes, your majesty,” Gwánwyn said.

So, preparations for another crowning began. Darby healed the dead queen’s body, so she could be properly, and respectfully buried. That evening, in the Throne room the Nobles residing in the city showed up, along with the local bishop of the church, and Gwánwyn was crowned Queen of the Crispenwell Queendom. Then I stood up and gave my speech again here in Crispenwell. No little girls or mention of honey cakes. No laughter, just a somber ceremony and proclamation. We signed the treaty, and left. We released the prisoners, and our ground forces were loaded up on our flying islands. Then we flew away towards the Dargon Queendom.

“What in the Abyss was that!? Did they really kill the queen to end the war with us and beg for mercy?” Darby said.

“I believe they did,” I said.

“This will be blamed on you, in the retelling,” Setanna said.

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“I know, and Queen Cornelia as well probably,” I said.

“You need to be ready for this. One of three things will happen. Nations will join forces to come after you, nations will wait to see if this is the end of it, or they will seek closer relations with you. The last one will be by seeking marriage into your family. Which at present is just you,” Celes said.

“Oh, but of course, I’m a real catch now. I’m not just a queen, but an Empress. Because no other title fits. Of course, nearly everyone will think the other queens are just puppets, and so now I am basically the same as another certain empress, with four queendoms to rule. Which is probably going to be an issue with said Empress. I can see all the political games now. Great Goddess, I’m only twenty-two!” I said.

“Don’t forget Yule is little more than a month away. We have been at war for several months now. Your wedding to the Dargon Queendom is coming up fast,” Celes said.

“Which is only going to put even more pressure on me with the other realms,” I said.

“What are your plans for the Kingdom of Terranon, Dee?” Kanae asked.

“Oh, Goddess! They are sending the prince to discuss trade soon, aren’t they? That creep is going to try and seduce me again, and he’s probably the best among his peers,” I said.

“You should just marry him already,” Kiera giggled.

“That’s really mean. Oh, Goddess, I’m probably going to have to pick a husband from those perverted freaks, aren’t I? If I hope to establish true peace in all the realms,” I said.

“Most likely, Little Empress,” Celes half said, half giggled.

“Dee, the Prittonian Delegation is due to arrive next week. They will be seeking trade negotiations as well, and an update on the Empire’s condition regarding Sinestelos and Crispenwell,” Eoghan said.

“Delegation? What do you mean Delegation? I thought they were sending an Ambassador to take up residence in Shin Shirochi and some leading merchants?” I said.

“Yes, a Delegation. It seems they are sending seven ambassadors, some leading merchants, and some staff members, and a security detail. Based on this information we probably need to have a compound for the Prittoni Delegation. I suggest we plan on doing the same for the other realms,” Aoi said.

“Naturally, what else should I have expected. So, they are sneaking in a harem of Ambassadors to select from in order to cement a closer relation between our domains. Not very sly, but creative. Very well, find a decent location within the Nobles section for the delegation and get up a curtain wall to make a compound. Once that is complete begin the process for the others. Don’t place them next to each other. We’ll need twenty of them. I assume we’ll need one for the Empire, but also ones for each of the Vassal Nations. Well perhaps the Venozian delegation can be in the Empire’s compound, so nineteen. Do we have room in the Noble quarter for that many Delegations? Can we carve out a place for them in the Elite Quarter? Would that be an insult?” I said.

“We have been exploring that. It would put a heavy burden on the Noble Quarter, but it could be done. But, we have come up with a solution we think will be both aesthetically pleasing and split the cost between the Elite and Noble Quarters. Currently, the Quarters are all shaped like circles. But we have a plan where we can turn the entire city into a rose, with only the Royal Quarter remaining a circle. This will expand the city and each of the quarters in the process,” Aoi said, casting a magikal city plan on conference table.

“Oh my Goddess! That is so beautiful! We’ll need more guards on the walls, but it makes defending any section of the wall more deadly to our foes. Beautiful and so practical. Aoi, you’re a genius! What do you all think?” I said.

“We’ve already agreed on Aoi’s brilliant and elegant plan,” Kanae said.

“Then there is no need to discuss. Let’s get this started! Can you get the first petal done in the Noble Quarter before they arrive?” I said.

“We were all prepared and waiting on your approval. We’ll make sure to get the first embassy prepared in time. It will just take some serious magik to make it happen,” Darby said.

“We should all be in class right now. We’ve missed a few months of classes. Rosie, please contact the Academy and have some tutors sent to us all. We can’t have our Council slacking on their education,” I said.

“Yes Dee, I’ll get us all some teachers. Maybe the Academy can open a school down here?” Rosie said.

“That’s an excellent idea! Contact the Headmistress, and bring up the idea. Maybe they can send someone down to scout for the best place to build one! No! I have a better idea! Aoi, can you do it? Can you build a floating Academy?” I said.

“O! M!! G!!! I want to try! Hang on! I have an idea!” Aoi said.

Aoi began using the light-pen artifact she built, with Darby’s help, supplying the necessary light magik, to draw a three-dimensional design for a floating academy on the same model as our Imperial Academy in Shambyl. She drew a very detailed model. Then she did a number of calculations, and her eyes lit up.

“Yes! I can do it! I can build a floating Academy! I hope the headmaster is up for it. I really want to build one now!” Aoi said.

“Then build it. We’ll build a floating Academy. If the Imperial Academy doesn’t want to have a branch here, we’ll find people to run it and staff it. Rosie, inform the headmistress we’re building a floating Academy here and want them to install their people and to run it, or if they aren’t interested, to help us find qualified people to do so,” I said.

“Sure thing, Dee! I hope they go for it!” Rosie said.

“Now, next on our order of business. We never got those cities completely built during the invasion. We now need to get back to them and get working on them. Hopefully, our Dargon companions have progressed somewhat on them. Eoghan, I need you to take charge of this task and get it completed. Then we need settlers. Tomás, can you get a team together to begin recruiting settlers and merchants. Darby and Selene, if you could help with that?” I said.

“Absolutely, Empress, we can handle this!” Darby said.

“I think that covers everything. I’m going to patrol some of the Queendom with my guard. Lets all meet up at the White Dragon Pub for dinner. I’ve reserved a private room,” I said.

Everyone agreed to meet there and we went our own ways. I went to my nursery and collected my children.

“Alright children, we are going on patrol, everyone transform,” I said.

Then our dragon and dragonkin guards all transformed as well, and our whole pride flew out the gates of the City. I flew up high into the sky as soon as we were free of the City gates. We had our shields on max, but we were too high for most mages, anyway. I flew out in a growing circle around the city. It felt so good to glide freely on the wind. The city was a beautiful thing. It was going to be far more beautiful in the shape of a rose. A white rose in a field of green. Then the fields of neatly planted crops surrounding that, and the copses of trees dotting the landscape. Off in the distance I could see the glass road and curtain wall made from the glass I made when we were last attacked by the Orphean Cult, on our first exit of the city. Now I changed my pattern and flew straight for the glass wall. I was flying primarily to relax, and rest, but we were going to do a proper patrol as well. We spread out and began flying a square grid. It was not the most entertaining route, but I knew all my dragons welcomed the time to just be free to fly. We were dragons after all. Every now and then one would dive down to get a closer look at something below, and fly back up. An excuse for a little aerobatics, and display.

“That looks like an interesting destination. That white-capped mountain range. Unusual to see this far south,” I said.

“North or south makes no difference. The air is thinner and colder up here, no matter where you fly. There are slight differences, but beyond a certain altitude it is all the same, my Empress. A part of that mountain range is shimmering in mana,” Kazan said.

“Yes, intersecting ley-lines must be there. It will be worth a visit when time allows. But it is time we returned. Our little ones will tire soon,” I said.

“They are more energetic than you know, my Empress. We can go a little longer,” Enya said.

So we continued our patterned flight, and indeed our children were quite energetic. We had covered about a two thousand square kilometer area during our three-hour flight. The children were properly exercised and all went down for sleep after a small feast. Then some of us were off to the Pub for some grub and some tubs of honeyed ale.

“It sure is wonderful to relax with some fine honeyed ale after a long day. How did your patrol go?” Kanae said.

“It was very productive. Found an interesting mountain range we need to explore. All was quiet in the area we scanned. We need to have some regular patrols in the sky. Perhaps we can also add some floating islands in some strategic locations. If we have enough bodies to fill the posts. The entire realm could be patrolled in under an hour if we plan carefully. Perhaps that would be a bit too much,” I said.

“Yes, probably too much, but patrolling the borderlands every hour seems like a reasonable idea,” Setanna said.

“We will really miss your wisdom when you leave, Uncle,” I said.

“Yes, I must return to my home soon. It has been a long time since I’ve had this much fun. I will miss you entertaining kids. You’ve really grown quite a bit, in such a short time. I look forward to what new tales you leave in your wake,” Setanna said.

Oddly, Rosie and Kanae didn’t spark any battles in the Pub, and we all enjoyed a well-earned festive meal. Of course, life was never that simple around us. The next day, came in with a bang. It all started with the sudden and unannounced arrival of Headmistress Corrine with Fionna in tow.

“My Empress, you have visitors from Shambyl requesting an audience -,” Guard Rowana began, when Corrine burst in,

“You’re building a Floating Academy!?”

Fionna was right behind her, panting,

“Will that include a military complex!?”

“Oh! Well, Salutations Headmistress, and Lady Fionna. Yes, we got the idea to build an academy using the Imperial Academy as a model, so it will include a military compound as well,” I said.

“Please wait for me to announce your arrival, your majesties -” Guard Rikka was overheard saying at the still open doorway, when Queen Matilde burst in,

“Are you really building a Floating Academy!?”

“Did you really kill two queens! Are you planning to surpass the Rhonel Empire with your own Academy as well? Empress Rhóxsané is furious, and coming here with her personal guard!” Vericus, my husband burst out in a pant.

“Where did you hear any of the that?” Corrine asked Vericus.

“How did you get here so fast?” Queen Matilde asked Vericus.

I didn’t hear Vericus’ answer because Setanna walked in with his shadow, the aide who normally attended him, and I had never once seen speak. Setanna was laughing so loudly that his laugh drowned out everyone, and even Queen Matilde turned to look at him. Behind him strode Empress Rhóxsané, with two of her personal guards, and two of my guards, who should have been still stationed at our teleportation circle at this hour.

“Salutations, Empress Deirdre. We do hope you will forgive us this impromptu visitation. We have been following your rather fast-paced adventures, and felt it was high time we visit our Wallachian vassal, in her own Queendom. We have been anxiously wanting to see what wonders you have been up to in restoring this ancient city and realm. It is certainly a stunning and remarkable transformation. You seem to have surrounded yourself with some marvelously talented individuals. One would almost suspect they are offworlders, with the wonders they have brought forth. I, too, would like to hear your answer to your husband’s question,” Empress Rhóxsané said.

“Greetings and Salutations, Empress Rhóxsané. Thank you for your kind words. We are greatly surprised at your sudden arrival. Had you given us some notice, we would have seen to a proper and dignified reception for her majesty,” I said.

“Forgive us your majesty. Empress Rhóxsané was not on the list of approved users of the Teleportation Circle, so we accompanied her here,” said Hannah, the captain of the guard kneeling before me with her companion guard, Maggie.

“You have done well, Captain. Return to your post, please. All is in order,” I said.

“Vericus, my Husband, no it is not true that I killed Queen Cornelia or Queen Yamikoo. Queen Cornelia was murdered by plots and designs of the Butcher of Zánkízar, now a Cardinal in the Church. He is currently a prisoner of Queen Maleficia. I do not know whether the Church seeks his freedom, or whether he will suffer the fate of all assassins of queens. Queen Yamikoo, had her daughter behead her, as some sort of sacrifice to me, in order to have mercy on her family. Even though it was never my desire for such a thing. It was all a sad and terrible waste of lives, and for what? For nothing. For nothing at all. As war always is.

No, I am not seeking to supplant the Empire with my own Academy. It came about out of purely selfish reasons, but once we considered it, we knew it had a great potential for the enrichment of all of Eå. We are indeed building a floating Academy, which is modeled on the Imperial Academy. We are hoping the Imperial Academy will accept it as a part of their academy, and supply us with at least some of the staff for it. It would make life easier for us stuck here handling the demands of this city and Realm in our last few months, and also expand the reach of that wonderful Academy,” I said.

The sound of a single clapping rang out in the throne room.